Samsung S24D590PL monitor: review and testing

Previously, when there was a question about buying an inexpensive monitor, the answer was obvious - you need to look for a solution based on the TN-matrix. Today, the competition between manufacturers of panels such as IPS and PLS provided a significant reduction in price of them. Therefore, the price range of $ 200 contains the monitors built on these types of matrices. In our materials we paid a lot of attention to IPS-solutions, but according to testing the model Samsung S27D390H, devices based on panels such as PLS should be taken into account. Therefore, for the next review we decided also choose PLS-monitor, but with a smaller diagonal and more affordable price tag. It is a model Samsung S24D590PL.

The specs:

Producer

Samsung

Model

S24D590PL

Matrix type

PLS

Paneltype

LED

Monitor size, mm

23,6 / 599

Visible screen area, mm

521 х 293

Aspect ratio

16:9

Optimum resolution and frequency, Hz

1920 х 1080 @ 60

Pixel, mm

0,27 x 0,27

Brightness, cd/m²

250

Contrast Ratio (statistical/dynamic)

1000:1 / -

Matrix Response Time (GtG), ms

5

Color numbers, M.

16,7

Horizontal scanning frequency, KHz

30 - 81

Vertical scanning frequency, Hz

56 - 75

Viewing angles (h/v) till the contrast > 10:1,°

178 / 178

Video output

2 x HDMI

1 x D-Sub

Audio output

1 х 3,5 mm

USB 2.0

No

USB 3.0

No

On-board speaker capacity, W

No

Power consumption, W

21

Additional capabilities

Function Samsung Magic Upscale to increase the image sharpness on the screen

Model Samsung S24D590PL is shipped in a big cardboard box which provides protection against impact and possible mechanical damage during transportation. It contains high-quality printing which allows to evaluate the design of the monitor. The main features of the device can be found in a number of icons located on the front of packaging:

24 LED Monitor - diagonal size is 24" or nearly 60 cm, and the lights of the matrix is provided by means of LEDs;

PLS - modern PLS matrix type, which has good color reproduction and wide viewing angles is applied;

Game Mode - the availability of special gaming profile;

Magic Upscale - support of proprietary technology, which serves to increase the sharpness of the image on the screen;

2 HDMI - the presence of two digital interfaces HDMI;

Windows 8 Compatible - compatible with operating system MS Windows 8.

The package includes the following components, you may need in the process of connecting the device and its use:

Separately we want to note the presence of cable with digital interfaces HDMI, which is not always possible to meet in the set of delivery of the monitor. It's nice that the Samsung does not skimp in these things.

Design and usage properties

Although Samsung S24D590PL does not belong to the original design series Touch of Color (ToC), its appearance still makes draw attention. Thin frames around the screen with a glossy sheen make the monitor quite stylish and modern, so it is ideal for the design of any office or apartment. It is decorated in predominantly black, only a plastic overlay on the leg has a silvery hue. In our subjective view, the stand should also have the same color scheme. Although it is a matter of taste.

Separately we want to note the small thickness of the body only 42 mm. An important role in this played by the use of a matrix with a diagonal of 23.6" and an external power supply.

Design of the rear panel also took a special attention. Instead of angular box with electronics hanging back of the monitor, we see only a small bulge in the central part, where the video interfaces are arranged. However, there is no the wall mount.

The same can be said about the leg and a stand. They look quite attractive, but don’t have great functionality. Only single-hinged connection is available that can change the angle of the display within -1°...+ 15°. But such construction provides excellent firmness of the monitor on the table. Build quality of model Samsung S24D590PL also has pleased: panels are very well processed and border each to other.

Video connectors are presented by analog D-Sub port and two digital HDMI. In all cases, there is a support of resolution 1920 x 1080 at a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Also note the audio output for headphones. In this case the socket to connect computer to sound card is missing, that is the sound is transmitted via HDMI. Let’s recall that D-Sub video connector does not support this possibility. Built-in speakers and other multimedia options are not provided. While many users will find it as an advantage because they do not need to overpay for unclaimed functionality.

The display is controlled by a special joystick located on the rear side of the housing. Compared with traditional buttons it is much easier to navigate in on-screen menu making the process quite intuitive.

While the functionality of the standard control scheme is maintained. In particular there is support for some shortcut options.

When you press the there is a comfortable hint with the appointment of the "hot" keys.

The on-screen menu is made in a corporate style and has a fairly simple structure: the left side shows a list of tabs, and the right their contents. Those who read the review of model Samsung S27D390H will immediately notice a lot in common. As always, great attention is paid to the translation and explanatory of the menu items.

The main sections are "Image" and "Color". Here the settings responsible for brightness, contrast and gamma of the image are grouped. Also there is the possibility manual balancing of key colors (red, green, and blue).

Selection of preset profiles is performed on the tab "Image" in subsection «Samsung Magic Bright». Separately is place a mode "Game" that can be activated using the joystick.

Like most monitors Samsung, the tested model support technology JavaScript Samsung Magic Upscale, which increases the sharpness of the image. In practice its work can be analyzed through the following photos.

Inactive function Samsung Magic Upscale

Active function Samsung Magic Upscale (“Mode 1”)

Active function Samsung Magic Upscale (“Mode 2”)

This function copes with its task. The difference before and after its activation is noticeable to the naked eye. Thus, when reading text from scanned pages and photos or while increasing pictures with bad accuracy the technology Samsung Magic Upscale can be quite useful.

As for the comparison between the modes, we recommend to use the first one ("Mode 1"), as the second ("Mode 2") has already slight artifacts, especially when drawing fine lines.

Testing During testing model Samsung S24D590PL the hardware platform was mini-computer ZOTAC ZBOX nano ID65 PLUS. Full description of the methodology of the monitor you can read the relevant material.

Samsung S24D590PL has five modes: "Custom", "Standard", "Cinema", "Dynamic Contrast" and "Game". First, look at the performance of profiles obtained during the test, and then on the basis of the graphs in more detail analyze the results.

«Custom»

«Standard»

«Cinema»

«Dynamic Contrast»

«Game»

Highlight luminance, cd/m2

250,5

148,3

251,2

250,8

250,7

Black area brightness, cd/m2

0,222

0,132

0,224

0,223

0,224

Contrast coefficient, х:1

1126

1123

1122

1122

1120

Color temperature of white point, К

7101

7100

7124

7135

7152

Correspondence of color space with sRGB standard, %

87,9

88,3

88,2

88,1

88,9

Correspondence of color space with AdobeRGB standard, %

64,3

64,6

64,5

64,5

65,0

Average deviation dE*94 (E)

0,88

0,94

1,04

0,91

2,06

Maximum deviation dE*94 (E)

3,28

3,80

2,78

2,71

6,96

Average gamma

1,98

1,98

1,92

-

3,77

Power consumption, W

21

14

21

21

21

With the exception of "Standard" mode, in all cases the brightness level was 250cd/m2, which is fully consistent with declared value. It's a pretty good result, but for the daily work in normal lighting this parameter is better to reduce to 150 - 200 cd/m2, or use the aforementioned profile "Standard". Also pleased the coefficient of static contrast which was around the level of 1120:1. Thanks to this the picture on the screen will have juicy and saturated colors. Note that there is no profile to read text from the screen (with a lower brightness and contrast). Therefore, if necessary, the appropriate settings have to be set manually.

Model Samsung S24D590PL has quite low power consumption, no more than 21 W. Therefore, the absence of a special economic mode is advantage.

Now let's see how things are going with colors.

CIE-diagram of all profiles

CIE-diagrams of all the profiles are very similar to each other. A slight shift is observed in the red and green control points, resulting in a lack of turquoise and pink shades, as well as a oversaturation in light green and yellow-orange areas. In numerical terms this is expressed in the form of 87.9% - 88.9% color gamut of space sRGB. For normal applications, movies and games this indicator is quite enough. However if you use professional programs to process graphics, video, it is best to look for a monitor with a wider color gamut (95% and above).

Diagram of main color and hue deviations from references in profiles “Custom” and “Standard”

Diagram of main color and hue deviations from references in profiles “Cinema” and “Dynamic contrast”

Diagram of main color and hue deviations from references in profile “Game”

When measuring the color accuracy in modes "Custom", "Standard", "Cinema" and "Dynamic contrast" pretty good results were recorded. In all the above profiles, average and maximum deviation dE * 94 (ΔE) dis not exceed the permissible values 1.5 and 4 respectively.

Only the mode "Game" has little bit different results. The color accuracy differs from the reference samples. We do not exclude that this was done purposefully, to enhance the effect of a dynamic game.

Graph of RGB level of profiles “Custom”, “Standard” and “Game”

Graph of RGB level of profile “Cinema”

RGB balance in preset profiles as a whole can be called good, if not to take into account the beginning of the schedule. In all cases, on the brightness scale in the range of 10% - 20% there is a very strong overestimation of the blue channel, which would give a cool shade to dark objects in the image.

Graph of gamma-curves in profiles “Custom” and “Standard”

Graph of gamma-curves in profile “Cinema”

Graph of gamma-curves in profile “Game”

Also some problems were observed with gamma settings. And if when you use the modes "Custom" and "Standard" the effect of the low range will not be very noticeable because of the high static contrast ratio, but not in profile "Cinema". When it is activated, the picture on the screen will be slightly dimmer. Quite the opposite effect you’ll get in mode "Game". On the chart we can see very large "lapse" of gamma curves, which will lead to darken the image. In this case the detail in the shadows will be lost, and the areas of the scene will look too contrasting. We would recommend to refrain from using this profile. In the model Samsung S27D390H “Game” mode has been set much better.